A possible recession is purifying, it invites us to show more courage, develop better products. Supported by governmental support with more financial means and tools for innovation in 2009 we are going to design even better, smarter and more beautiful products with our partners. Cooperation, innovation and design are back on top of the agendas. Winning businesses make sure they come with something new.
Read more about what mistakes to avoid in a recession / Ockham's Razor
Aesthetic and practical considerationsIn the 14th century the English logician and Franciscan friar, William of Ockham has derived a principle, which is often attributed nowadays, also in design. Ockham's principle, also referred to as Occam's razor, is a principle that louds: "Entities should not be multiplied unnecessarily".
Another related quote is attributed to Albert Einstein:
“Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler”
Leonardo da Vinci lived after Ockham time and has a variant of Ockham's razor. His variant short-circuits the need for sophistication by equating it to simplicity:
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”.
Simple does not mean easy. The way to an aesthetic, balanced and functional design can be long and difficult.
Ockham's razor is a tool to reach simplicity and sophistication in designing products as well. Unnecessary weight in a product for instance, whether it is visual, physical or cognitive, should be avoided, it can harm the functioning of the product. Unnecessary elements in the design can malfuntion or cause problems. And there is an aestetic principle that sais that cutting off unnecessary element from a design is like filtering out soil from a solution: the design gets cleaner and more pure.
The principle of Occam's Razor can be used when evaluating designs that are equivalent in function. If two displays have the same functional and technical specifications, offering the same readability, sharpness and contrast, then choose the display that has less visual elements. Evaluate every element in the chosen design solution and cut off as much as possible without loosing functionality.
Read how we can help you with designing a new product /Paper 2 Dust – successful launch of the concept
P2D is a new way of shredding paper in a very special design and was launched a few weeks ago. Our international public has reacted with a lot of enthusiasm on its innovative component and unusual appearance.
Creativity World Forum 2008 CWF is not a conference on creativity, it is an unique opportunity for everyone to inspire and to be inspired, to think further than your do, to dare. It is a great challenge for people with most different backgrounds.
CWF is the anual gathering of the District of Creativity Regions. At this moment 12 strong regions from 3 continents are part of the DC Regions network. Being conscious of the fact that cross-border collaboration can contribute to a creative and entrepreneurial environment, these regions jointly undertook to foster the exchange of experiences.
For more information see
www.creativityworldforum.be
